Aletha Kelly and Elaine Williams The Technical College System of Georgia recently recognized 30 adult learners for their outstanding achievement in the state’s adult education program.

The students were honored as EAGLE delegates during an awards ceremony that was part of the TCSG Office of Adult Education’s annual Leadership Institute at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta. The keynote speakers were Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond and Ann Cramer, director of corporate citizenship and corporate affairs for IBM North America.

Aletha Kelly represented Southeastern Technical College as the 2010 EAGLE delegate. Mrs. Kelly is from Jenkins County and attends the adult education program at the center in Millen. She has successfully completed parts of her GED and hopes to graduate spring quarter. Her future plans are to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education and open her own daycare. Elaine Williams, Aletha’s instructor, and Susan Cross, Executive director of adult education, also attended the annual leadership institute.

The 30 EAGLE (Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education) delegates were nominated by their instructors from among the more than 95,000 men and women who are enrolled in adult education programs throughout Georgia.The exceptional effort that they put forth in their studies and the success that they have achieved makes the EAGLE delegates outstanding role models for the million-plus Georgians who have never obtained their high school diploma or a GED.

TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson presented the students with their EAGLE award. He noted that each student is considered to be an ambassador for Georgia’s adult education program and a spokesperson for the positive effect that working toward and earning a GED can have on people’s lives and their job potential.

“Through hard work and perseverance you’ve proven to yourself and others like you that it’s possible to overcome life’s obstacles and get the education and respect that you’ve always deserved,” said Jackson. “Now, I call on you to not only continue your education, but also to help spread the word that obtaining a GED is a very important step toward discovering your potential, getting a better job, and improving the future for you, your family and your community.”

For more information on the adult education program or GED, call the Jenkins County Adult Learning Center at 982- 1303.